​Inflation has an impact on Grant PUD's 2023 budgetGrant PUD is not immune to the same inflationary pressures affecting the rest of the U.S. economy. During a presentation regarding the proposed 2023 budget, John Mertlich, senior manager of Financial Planning and Analysis, said that inflation is the most significant reason the 2023 budget is higher...

Oct. 25-26 at the Wanapum Heritage CenterArchaeology Days is back to mix learning with fun at the Wanapum Heritage Center after a two-year hiatus during the COVID pandemic.Kids have their own day, Oct. 25, for some hands-on, kid-friendly learning about the customs and crafts of native, Columbia Plateau people, as well as area geology, river ec...

"Now for some fun. Show-and-Tell time," Brett Lenz, Grant PUD manager of Cultural Resources told commissioners Tuesday, after he finished what is usually a very routine and subdued quarterly business report.He reached under the table where commissioners were gathered, pulled out a black backpack, reached inside and withdrew part of the toothy jawbo...

New exhibit at the Wanapum Heritage Center runs through Jan. 15, 2023MATTAWA —Journey through the Hanford Reach via photography, sound and video to delve into its atomic histories and secrets that enshroud them.The Wanapum Heritage Center's newest exhibit, "Hanford Reach: In the Atomic Field" will take you on that journey from the convenience of th...

Focus on X-energy will allow additional in-depth analysis about whether to move forward and build Grant PUD will focus on the technology of Maryland-based X-energy in the utility's continuing feasibility analysis of building a small modular reactor (SMR) nuclear energy plant. For the past 18 months, Kevin Nordt, Grant PUD Chief Resource Office...

Contractor to analyze dam embankment for possible erosionCommissioners heard the details of a proposed, 10-year, $15 million contract with engineering firm Gannett Fleming to examine the interior of an embankment at Wanapum Dam for any potential erosion.The last in-depth dam safety inspection by independent consultants in 2021 concluded t...

Retail customer electricity sales ended the year's second quarter about 2% less than budget forecast, commissioners heard Tuesday. Year-to-date through April, sales are about one-half percent above budget and are forecast to stay strong, longer term.Colder-than-expected spring weather increased energy consumption from residential customers, and hig...

The conference ID has changed for call-in access to the July 26 public hearing on the Grant PUD Integrated Resource Plan. To attend by phone, please call 509-703-5291. When prompted, enter conference code 596 502 173#. The hearing will begin during the 1 p.m. business meeting.Attend the July 26 hearing in person in the Commission Room at Grant PUD ...

Members of the Washington Public Utilities Districts Association (WPUDA) urged Grant PUD commissioners to "speak with one voice" to state and federal lawmakers about hydropower's critical, carbon-free role in keeping the lights on in the Pacific Northwest.Without this resource, the lights go out," WPUDA Executive Director George Caan told commissio...

Grant PUD commissioners Tuesday learned how the utility is considering options to meet its long-term power needs during an Integrated Resource Plan presentation.By state law, electric utilities must develop a comprehensive plan with five- and 10-year estimates projecting the mix of power generation and resources to meet the needs of their customers...

Transmission projects will increase electrical capacity in QuincyGrant PUD staff Tuesday presented commissioners with their preferred routes for three new transmission lines that will increase electrical capacity and improve reliability in the ag-and-data hub city of Quincy.The routes are four of the 10 projects comprising the "Quincy Transmis...

Grant PUD contractor Alamon is performing preventive maintenance on Grant PUD power poles to reduce risk of power outages.Work began 6/6/2022 in the Soap Lake area and will continue north through year-end until the upper portion of the county is complete.The maintenance includes testing the poles to ensure they're structurally sound and applying tr...

Grant PUD is forecasting that its net income will be approximately $10.9 million less than budgeted, according to a first-quarter financial report given to commissioners during their meeting on May 23. Even with the change in net income, Grant PUD is projecting that it will achieve its financial metrics for liquidity, days cash on hand, debt servic...

Work on secondary embankment at Priest Rapids Dam progressesThe cost to build a secondary embankment on the Yakima County side of Priest Rapids Dam will increase $2.6 million to improve the project's quality and safety, commissioners heard Tuesday.The change order to the contract with IMCO General Construction increases the total project cost to $5...

Commissioners unanimously gave preliminary approval Tuesday to a plan to relocate over the next decade Grant PUD's Ephrata headquarters and its Ephrata and Moses Lake service centers at a total cost estimate of $266 million.All three buildings need costly repairs, energy efficiency upgrades and more room for current operations and future growth. Th...

EPHRATA, Wash. – Grant PUD has reopened its Visitor Center at Wanapum Dam and the Wanapum Heritage Center near Priest Rapids Dam to the public. The centers had been closed since March 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The locations, days and hours are as follows:Grant PUD Visitor Center at Wanapum Dam: 14352 Washington 243, Beverly, WACu...

The Grant PUD is gearing up for what they expect to be another record-breaking season at Grant PUD camping and recreation areas. Manager of License Compliance and Lands Services Shannon Lowry told commissioners her team is bracing for a record 13 concerts at The Gorge Amphitheater over the summer, including six weekend-long festivals. The amphithea...

Faced with aged, undersized and inadequate buildings to serve a growing county, Grant PUD commissioners are considering a Facilities Master Plan proposal to build a new headquarters building and two new service centers on land with room to expand at locations yet to be determined.The preliminary plan calls for the existing headquarters in Ephrata a...

EPHRATA, Wash. – Grant PUD commissioners are pleased to invite the public to resume in-person attendance during their regular board meetings, starting Tuesday, March 22.The commission had been conducting meetings virtually as a response to the COVID pandemic for the past two years. Now all board meetings will be held in person. Most regular commiss...

Budgeted expenses, revenues up for overall gain in 2021Year-end financial results for 2021 show increases in both expenditures and revenues, while key financial indicators remain strong. Preliminary results show total expenditures of $417.2 million through December, up from the $380.6 million in the budget as originally approved. The total includes...